Newsletters
Three individuals were caught in the act while carrying out an illegal excavation inside a protected archaeological area in Istanbul’s Fatih district, authorities said, highlighting ongoing risks to cultural heritage sites.
The incident occurred on March 31 in the Cerrahpasa neighborhood, where officials discovered unauthorized digging inside a two-story wooden building on a third-degree archaeological site.
A “third-degree archaeological site” refers to an area officially recognized for its cultural or historical value, where any construction or excavation activity is strictly regulated to prevent damage to potential heritage remains.
Following the discovery, police teams launched an operation at the property and apprehended three suspects while they were actively searching for treasure.
During a search of the building, authorities found an illegal excavation pit reaching a depth of approximately 5.5 meters. A large number of tools and equipment used in the digging operation were also confiscated.
The suspects were charged under Türkiye’s Law on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets, which prohibits unauthorized excavation in protected areas.
A local worker, identified as Nimet Ablak, described how the suspects allegedly carried out their activities in a controlled manner.
“They come, open the door. While work is being carried out inside, the door remains locked. They dig inside. Then the lock is opened from outside and those inside come out. They go back and forth like this. The police did a good job and caught them all in the act. They caught three people inside,” she said.
Her statement suggested that individuals would enter the building, conduct excavation work while the door remained locked, and then exit after the lock was opened from outside.
1 min read
The same witness also claimed that the property owner may have facilitated access to the building, alleging that the owner unlocked the door to allow the individuals inside and later secured it again.
After being taken into custody, the three suspects were referred to court and subsequently released following legal proceedings.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
